Saturday, June 26, 2010

Raavanan – The scapegoat amidst Ravening Marketing - The ten heads of Raavanan


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Reviews have been mixed and so are feelings about the film. What has gone wrong with ‘Raavanan’? Though, we have given good reviews and ratings for ‘Raavanan’, we try to guess what has not been communicated by the film to the audience and what miscommunication has happened.

There are a few causative factors that led to the mixed feelings on Raavanan. Let us look into what have gone wrong with ‘Raavanan’. Like the ‘Ten’ heads of ‘Raavanan’, here are ‘ten’ factors that influenced the failure of ‘Raavanan’:

1) Hindi ‘Raavan’ has turned a dud and Tamil ‘Raavanan’ takes the backlash
2) Vikram and Abhishek Bachchan – difference in overall abilities of the two actors
3) Being a minority film
4) Accusations of Blasphemy
5) Film short and inadequate – The Ultimate Resolution
6) High Expectations and Hype
7) Television Broadcast Rights sold to less popular, indolent and deadbeat Raj TV
8) Predictable Story and Screenplay
9) Mani Ratnam and expectations on him
10) No Post-Release Promotion

1)      Hindi ‘Raavan’ has turned a dud and Tamil ‘Raavanan’ takes the backlash

The Tamil film ‘Raavanan’ may have evoked mixed responses but the ‘Hindi’ film ‘Raavan’ evoked a unified response with lack of poetry and woodenness in the narration. The failure of the major, widely marketed Hindi film failing to meet expectations has crossed the Deccan Plateau and has reflected on the Tamil Film ‘Raavanan’.

2)      Vikram and Abhishek Bachchan – Differences in overall ability between the two

Abhishek Bachchan is no match to the ‘National Award Winner’ Vikram. Vikram has essayed the role in the film with ease and emotions while Abhishek Bachchan being a failed actor could not essay the role with comfort and understanding. This has led to the failure of ‘Raavan’ where Vikram playing the role of Dev in Hindi was also not well received. Vikram has supposedly struggled to put up with the Bollywood atmosphere.

3)      Being a minority film

‘Raavan’or ‘Raavanan’ is not for the majority. The film has failed to communicate with the minority as well. Positive reviews have been coming only from Tamil Nadu but even Telugu ‘Villain’ has turned average. The film could not relate to the Telugu audience nor can it find the emotional connection other than Tamil Nadu. ‘Raavanan’ is a film, perhaps, not suitable to be a bilingual.

4)      Accusations of Blasphemy

The film being blasphemous has irked a lot of people and that has reflected hugely in their views on the film. India is so connected towards their favorite epics. Dispelling myths has created a lot of shock and anger. Word of Mouth suggests that you skip the film for its blasphemy which is so disturbing to those who hold conventional beliefs.

5)      Film Short and Inadequate – The Ultimate Resolution

Two hours and seven minutes is definitely inadequate for the Indian audience, that too in a Mani Ratnam film. Mani Ratnam has made lengthier films and he could have been given all liberty to go ahead to make a shorter film.

6)      High Expectations and Hype

The Pre-release hype has created a lot of expectations which has gone beyond what the film has in store. How could the audience imagine and suppose that this film should be the best of Mani Ratnam before watching the film? Taking the genre of the film as it is would have sufficed.

7)      Predictable Story and Screenplay

Perhaps the biggest of mistake in the whole film – a story known to everyone, at least on the outline, though being a variation, the adaptation could have taken a different course at the end. The film is predictable by adapting popular formats and is only a thin variation from ‘Ramayana’. The Screenplay is linear as well and does not hold surprises though this film is about ‘what is happening’ than ‘what is going to happen’.

8)      Television Broadcast Rights sold to less popular, indolent and deadbeat Raj TV

Imagine the kind of publicity ‘Raavanan’ would have received had it been sold to Sun TV instead of Raj TV or if the Tamil film ‘Raavanan’s distribution rights were sold to Sun Pictures? It is not about Sun TV, but ‘Raavanan’ has not received ravening marketing which other films have been getting. ‘Raavanan’ turns an easy target and a scapegoat for merely failing the expectations of the people though crap films take away the limelight with inveigling marketing tactics.

9)      Mani Ratnam and expectations on him

Much like how Shankar would not be expected to direct a ‘Veyyil’, ‘Kadhal’ and even ‘Earam’, Mani Ratnam is not expected to make a commercial entertainer like ‘Raavanan’, though the film is not entirely commercial. When we say the name, people always expect ‘Mani Ratnam’ to make another ‘Nayagan’, ‘Anjali’, “Roja’ and ‘Bombay’ all the time. This is not possible nor does a director have to make masterpieces all the time. He can make a simple film.

   10) No Post-Release Promotion

Pre-release promotions may have been high but post-release promotion has remained at low levels. When lackluster films have been turning successful with coercive ‘Post-Release’ promotions and marketing, Raavanan failed in this department, which could also be due to  their being a little more confident than normal.

Too many factors, responses and emotions

There may be too many factors and responses but ‘Raavanan’ is made a scapegoat amidst cajoling marketing of films that are almost nothing. If Mani Ratnam has not made his best, we may wait for him to make one. This is not the time for Mani Ratnam to retire and unfair criticisms due to the film being proselytizing is one thing to avoid.

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Raavanan and Raavan prey to polemic journalism – Ethnocentrism defaming and demeaning the Avant-Garde Auteur Mani Ratnam


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Mani Ratnam may have been the only avant-garde and the auteur director of Indian Cinema but the Northern Media awaited his downfall. As we are obliged to see the grey, black and white sides and the rationale behind Mani Ratnam and his films with a social concern, we are to state the truth in a much more effective way.


Mani Ratnam took care of the greater market in promoting his film as he was burdened with a Rs. 120 crore budget being held responsible under Reliance Big Pictures. The smaller regional markets were taken care of by actors such as Vikram for Tamil, Prithvi Raj for Malayalam and the Telugu audience is known to accept dubbed versions of Tamil films.

Mani Ratnam became an ambassador for the film (which he need not be for his name sells) ‘Raavan’ as he had to tour the US and the Europe. Mani Ratnam was accepted as the auteur of Indian Cinema by the whole of India besides being a Tamilian hailing from Chennai. The reason was that his films proved to stand beyond regional bias by their sheer quality.

While the American and Australian media went berserk over the film ‘Raavan’, it is only the north Indian media that subjected Mani Ratnam to a vicious calumny waiting for the right time. Mani Ratnam Ki Aag (in reminiscence with RGV ki Aag) is the latest buzz word doing the rounds. However, the film ‘Raavan’ , as witnessed and commented by the South Indians, is not as bad as it was made out to be.

Reviews and comments on the film ‘Raavan’ are simply, “please don’t watch Raavan and waste time.” Nothing else could be said beyond this. It was also due to the reigning hero of the North ‘Ram’ being made ‘demonic’ in character and ‘Raavan’ being glorified as a hero. This South Indian, Tamil ethnical sensibility is not definitely suitable for the North Indian audience and the angry comments turned towards the making, story and the screenplay.

The Tamil ‘Raavanan’s reviews had turned positive for over 90%. The rest of the 10% hinted at the loopholes of the film. Vikram carried the film on his shoulders with significant ease proving to be a charismatic actor and a star. ‘Raavanan’ is a cult hit in Tamil and the Tamil audience remained faithful to their avant-garde auteur in their feedbacks about their film and still love and defend their magnificient Mani Ratnam.


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Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Raavanan better: Raavan bitter: Abhishek Bachchan sucks! Aishwarya Rai and Vikram steal the show - Part 3


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At first I thought this piece about the film 'Raavanan' was polemic but after I read fully, I understand that there is some logic in the article for asking Mani Ratnam not to cast hamming and posturing actors who are dud on screen. I agree with this and have not been a favorite of Mani Ratnam's repeated casting of certain actors who are good for nothing like Aishwarya Rai (at times though not always), Abhishek Bachchan (who can quit acting in films, especially in Mani Ratnam films), Ajay Devgan and so many other actors.

At times in Tamil also with well performing but not so charismatic Meera Jasmine, Aravind Swamy, Prashanth etc.

What can a director like Mani Ratnam do with a limited repertoire of actors like this? This below article talks about the importance of casting. Read on to find that it is Abhishek Bachchan who has been the spoilsport. Vikram and Tamil 'Raavanan' remain favorites. Reportedly, Mani Ratnam felt agitated towards making films in Tamil as classics like 'Kannaththil Muththamittal' and 'Iruvar' did not do well in South. Hence, he took to making films in Hindi.

But this time, the Tamil film 'Raavanan' has saved him from huge losses but the Hindi film and the actors gave him a tough time. It is also said that Mani Ratnam could have made the film in Tamil alone. Read this article and also the comments!


http://in.yfittopostblog.com/2010/06/22/the-100-crore-lemons/


Here is another review of the Hindi version 'Raavan':


http://in.yfittopostblog.com/2010/06/21/raavan-review-abhi-ash-are-insufferable/


Some of the popular film websites and portals including us (www.600024.com) based in Chennai have been so much positive about the Tamil film 'Raavanan'. We will come back with more about the film as I would, meanwhile, suggest you watch the Tamil film 'Raavanan' if you are a lover of good cinema. If you like it, please come back and post comments, if you don't, please come back and post comments to this article.

DINESH BABU M


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Raavanan better: Raavan bitter: Abhishek Bachchan sucks! Aishwarya Rai and Vikram steal the show - Part 2




Here is some more corroboration to our previous article. Vikram, the national award winner who came the hard way can perform with extreme brilliance but Abhishek who came on a platter struggled to do well as one of the comments in the article says. Some more news on Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Mani Ratnam, AR Rahman, Santosh Sivan, Vikram, Prithvi Raj, Priyamani and 'Raavanan' and 'Raavan'.

The film has been receiving unfair criticism and it almost seems that it was preplanned to topple the blasphemous effort right on the first day. Popular reviewers and their names will let you know why this happened. It is much similar to what happened in 'Iruvar'. Both 'Iruvar' and 'Raavanan' have been victimized for the sensitivities they carried although from two different sides.

Here is the link for this article:

http://in.yfittopostblog.com/2010/06/21/raavanan/


DINESH BABU M




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Saturday, June 19, 2010

Raavanan better: Raavan bitter: Abhishek Bachchan sucks! Aishwarya Rai and Vikram steal the show


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Raavanan and Raavan have hit the screens today! Sometime back, we felt that the songs were more of Hindustani but now the audiences in the north are feeling that the songs have more of a southern flavor. The Hindi film is a let down where one of the review criticizes Abhishek Bachchan of "taking more than he can chew" but "Vikram" is more accomplished as "Veera". Vikram portrays every emotion with ease. His talents and eyes are truly portraying of emotions.






Here is my review about "Raavanan":


http://600024.com/mani-ratnam’s-‘raavanan’-movie-review-–-dispels-and-debunks-ages-of-urban-legends/


Here is my interview with Mani Ratnam:

http://600024.com/interview-with-mani-ratnam-after-the-preview-of-‘raavanan’/


The film is unfairly attacked and targeted for the ethnic confusions and overtones. Let us see how the film is and decide for ourselves. Ultimately, the Hindi film sucked and the Tamil film did well! Some common misconceptions are that Aishwarya Rai looks beautiful throughout the film in the jungle terrains! The answer to this question could be that she is naturally beautiful and that due to the dampness she looks pale throughout the film.

Judging the Tamil film solely on the performance of the Hindi film is not common sense! The Tamil Film will do well. Unfair criticisms bearing at the back of the mind that Ramayana and Ram are tainted shows intolerance to art, creativity and fiction. Even in my interview with Mani Ratnam, he said that there is a human side to everything and that we should see everything from the human side of things.

That is what he has done again in 'Raavanan'.

DINESH BABU M


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Thursday, June 3, 2010

Salman Khan must be condemned - Rational Films condemns Salman Khan - Bollywood stamps hard on IIFA Colombo 'Red' Carpet




We do believe that the Bollywood Film Fraternity are our brothers and sisters. We loved it when 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' enchanted us along with other films like 'Baazigar, 'Deewar', 'Taare Zameen Par', 'Jodhaa Akbar' and so on. However, the Tamil Film Industry's or the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce's asking of the Bollywood to express solidarity with the Tamil Film Industry's decision of boycotting the FICCI's IIFA (International Indian Film Academy) Film Festival was to show a unified strength to the world.

But Bollywood seems to have other ideas. The Tamil Film Fraternity has not forced Bollywood to boycott the event. It was about a feeling of oneness when it came to the country we live in. But Bollywood believes Bollywood is Bollywood and Kollywood is Kollywood. The regional powers weren't sufficient enough to make Bollywood boycott the IIFA.

The Bollywood, undeterred, has taken the IIFA's Colombo 'Red' Carpet. Salman Khan who was among the first to take the 'Red' Carpet' told reporters that Amitabh Bachchan and his family should have come to Colombo as the Brand Ambassador of the IIFA or the FICCI. Rational Films condemns Salman Khan and the entire Tamil Film Industry should reach a consensus on Salman Khan and his films in the South. We hope that an explanation would at least be sought.

Some did pretend that there was no issue and some did not understand what the issue was all about. Some seemed to have no concerns and yes, of course, nobody can stop them as participating in Colombo 'Red' Carpet IIFA Film Festival is their democratic right!

DINESH BABU M


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Wish Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Kalaignar M Karunanithi many more happy returns of his birthday today




Rational Films or I have not wished anyone so far on their Birthdays but we take the opportunity the day has provided us with to wish Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Kalaignar M Karunanithi a very happy birthday. We also feel that he live many more years to serve both Tamil and Tamil Nadu.

Kalaignar M Karunanithi is a veteran screenwriter whose 'Parasakthi' is believed to be of world standards. It is! The film is studied in Chennai Tharamani Film Institute. The films, plays (as he is also a playwright) and all his literary works have portrayed the Tamil cultural milieu and the profound history of Tamil. His movies were pivotal to the development of Rational Movements and Rational Films in Tamil Nadu.

It is upon his ideals that we follow his path. Although to not his extent, we make sure that the Social and Cultural philosophies of the Dravidian descent is taken to the next generation. Kalaignar M Karunanithi was a star when his films and plays hit the theaters and stages. Popularity came his way as his movies highly expressed his affinity with the Tamil culture.

Furthermore, he was helped by banning his films and plays which went on to make what Kalaignar M Karunanithi today is. The Tamil Social and Rational movements might not believe in 'auspicious' days and moments but we take it as our pleasure and pride to open-heartedly Wish the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu a very Happy Birthday.

In a country torn asunder with civil war, riots against particular communities, politically triggered and motivated massacres, Naxalism, Maoism, bomb blasts, and so on, Tamil Nadu has expressed solidarity with all the communities and races making Tamil Nadu a peaceful state. If we have been able to walk on the streets with no fear of saving our lives, it is due to the intellectual predecessors and contemporaries of Tamil Nadu who propagated humanistic ideals.

We are not the state of Kashmir which was torn by leadership issues and autonomy keeping the state in constant tension. However, this not being the right occasion to talk about all these issues of the State or States, this is a day that highlights the peace and prosperity of Tamil Nadu. However, latent claims of the socialist and rationalist party (owing to pressures from the family) having turned out to be dynastic is the only Achilles heel of the party and its leader.

Wish Kalaignar M Karunanithi A Very Happy Birthday for being a significant part of the contemporary Tamil History. His contributions to Tamil literature and Cinema are incomparable! Also read my post today on 600024 website.

My post wishing Kalaignar Happy Birthday:

http://600024.com/chief-minister-kalaignar-m-karunanithi-celebrates-87th-birthday-today/

DINESH BABU M


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